Dhoom Machale in New York: Nehru’s words, Bollywood beats mark Mamdani’s victory

New Delhi, Nov 5: Zohran Mamdani’s election as New York City’s first Muslim mayor has captured attention far beyond the United States, especially in India, where his roots, his message, and even his campaign style have struck a familiar chord.

When the BBC first introduced Mamdani to Indian audiences, it was as “Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair’s son.”

Now, in a reversal of roles, many are describing the acclaimed Monsoon Wedding and Salaam Bombay! director as “Zohran Mamdani’s mother.”

For Indians, the connection is both emotional and cultural.

Mamdani, the 34-year-old son of academic Mahmood Mamdani and Mira Nair, carried echoes of India throughout his campaign, and nowhere was that more evident than on the night of his victory.

His address to supporters began with a stirring reference to India’s founding moment.

Quoting Jawaharlal Nehru’s historic Tryst with Destiny speech, Mamdani invoked the ideals of freedom, equality, and social justice, themes that have long shaped both India’s and his own political journeys.

And as he concluded his speech, another Indian symbol took centre stage.

The opening beats of Dhoom Machale, the signature tune from the hit Bollywood film Dhoom, filled the party hall as Mamdani waved to cheering crowds.

The song’s refrain, “let’s make some noise”, perfectly captured the energy of a campaign that blended idealism with youthful exuberance.

Observers say that Mamdani’s campaign had a distinctive Bollywood touch: vibrant, people-driven, and full of emotion.

From music-filled rallies to multilingual community events, his message of equality and inclusion found resonance among immigrant voters, many of them South Asians who saw in him a reflection of their own stories.

Mira Nair’s another source of warmth and symbolism.

She took to Instagram the moment Zohran Mamdani’s historic win hit the headlines.

She reshared filmmaker Zoya Akhtar’s story with the joyous words, “Zohran, you beauty,” set to Jay-Z’s iconic ‘Empire State of Mind’.

The celebrated filmmaker, known for bringing South Asian narratives to global audiences, was all support for her son.

In India, Mamdani’s win has been widely observed with interest.

Some of the newspapers and social media platforms hailed him as a voice of the global Indian diaspora, a young leader whose values of compassion, justice, and pluralism mirror the teachings of India’s own founding figures.